“The best in new roots talent!”
Bruce Macgregor, BBC Radio Scotland presenter, director of Northern Roots Festival
“Although only two of them – They sound like a full band”
Celtic Music Radio, Celtic Connections
“Electrifying mandolin solos played at supersonic speed, great guitar work and harmonies”
Dalgety Bay Folk Club
Biography 2020
The Mad Ferret Band
Contemporary Scottish Folk Duo, Perth, Scotland
The Mad Ferret Band are known on the Scottish music scene for their hard hitting blend of traditional and contemporary folk music. Their lively, energetic performances are packed with “blisteringly fast mandolin solos”, tight vocal harmonies, driving Cajon beats and earth-moving guitar sounds.
The Mad Ferret Band supercharge influences from classic folk acts such as The Corries & The Dubliners, as well as modern tunes from composers like Gordon Duncan & Ross Ainsley. Therefore these influences plus the constant onslaught of touring, provides the inspiration for their original tunes & songs. Yes, and many of their songs are about grog, so if you don’t like a tipple you’d better like dancing!
The Duo features Chris Woods on Mandolin, Guitar and Vocals and Sandy Stirton on Guitar, Cajon and Vocals. The collaboration between these two raw musicians has produced many original songs and tunes; including New Dawn, Lassies of Edinburgh Toon and Bruce’s First Mistake. All featured on their previously released Live recordings and albums. They are continually developing their sets due to many a new tune surfacing at a live performance.
The Mad Ferret Band are constantly touring their contemporary folk music around Scotland and Europe. Find them online for 2020 Tour Dates and be sure not to miss their live performance if they’re in the area!
Notable gigs include: Live performance on BBC Radio Scotland, Danny Kyle Stage at Celtic Connections, Perth Concert Hall, Northern Roots Festival, Montrose Music Festival, Mull Music Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Oran Mor Glasgow, DingsDo Festival Lajen, Eden Festival, Kelburn Garden Party, Lindisfarne Festival & multiple European tours including Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland & Austria.
The Mad Ferret Band have previously been invited to warm up the stage for renowned acts such as Dougie MacLean, Skerryvore, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Mànran & Peatbog Faeries.
Additional Links & Contacts:
Website: www.TheMadFerretBand.com
Email: themadferretband@gmail.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/TheMadFerretBand
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMadFerretBand
Bandcamp: www.themadferretband.bandcamp.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MadFerretBand
Spotify: The Mad Ferret Band
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/The-Mad-Ferret-Band
BandsInTown: www.bandsintown.com/MadFerret
Download High – Resolution Images
Mad Ferret Golden Oldies
Tech Spec & Stage Plan
CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION
The Mad Ferret Band technical rider 2018
This document specifies all technical requirements for The Mad Ferret Band.
This document is understood to be part of any performance contract pertaining to The Mad Ferret Band.
Should the promoter be unable to provide any of the items listed in this document, please contact The Mad Ferret Band at themadferretband@gmail.com
Please be aware, all Mad Ferret gigs are subject to our Terms Of Business, available through the Mad Ferret website (bottom of this page).
CHANNEL LIST
Channel Inst Insert Mic / notes
- Cajon. Compressor & Gate
- Guitar (Sandy). Compressor
- Guitar (Woodise).
- Mandolin.
- Vox (Sandy)
- Vox (Woodsie)
Mad Ferret require a minimum 6 channels, preferably through a digital desk (Allen & Heath QU series, Soundcraft Expression series, Midas, Yamaha 01V96i / LS9, or other of reputable quality). If a digital desk is not available, please ensure there are six outboard compressors, one gate, and two effects (reverb & delay) racks.
FOH should be capital of delivering 110dB spl to the mixing desk location (centre rear of room), with bass bins on the floor and tops positioned above audience head height.
All equipment should be of reputable standard and in full working order.
EQ & COMPRESSOR SETUPS
Cajon – EQ bass boost, usually needs cut between 100-260 to cut feedback and boxy sound. Gate with fast attack, compress slightly. [Cajon should sound like a strong Kick Drum, tight and punchy, not boxy.
Guitar (Sandy) – EQ, NO HPF, large bass shelf boost (+6to10dB <~120Hz), and a slight presence peak if needed. Don’t cut anything out of the mids unless it’s particularly boxy. Compress as lightly if needed. [This guitar should sound massive, covering the whole sound spectrum. The Cajon and the low strings on this guitar, mixed together, should sound like a solid bass guitar.]
Guitar (Woodsie) – EQ, HPF <100Hz, slight mid cut if it sounds boxy, gentle high end boost. compress as required. [This should ‘fit in the middle’ of the other guitar, having less bass and playing more of a melody role. Guitar has a boost switch for solos. Please check this level change is to your liking, and won’t trigger and crazy compression once in the middle of a gig]
Mandolin – EQ, HPF <200Hz+, has a lot of bass end on the pickup that needs cut. Give it a high end boost without making it too piercing. Compress if needed. Mandolin has a foot pedal that engages a gentle pad and high end cut. This is for during verses / any sections with singing. Please ensure you’re happy with this change in sound before the performance begins.
MONITORS
Please ensure the monitors, like any other gear supplied, is of good repute and in full working order. Minimum of two monitors are required. Do not HPF any of the monitors.
Whilst sound checking, please EQ and level for FOH, then add any foldback if it’s asked for. Generally there isn’t much sound required on stage. Our ears are precious to us and we’re not keen on going deaf.
STAGE PLOT
Please ensure there is a Green Room for Mad Ferret to prepare in. In any event, this must be weatherproof and secure.
Please note; The Mad Ferret Band require 2x 9v Batteries as part of their rider.
STAGING REQUIREMENTS
Minimum performance area is 3m(D) x 3m(W), with 2.5m of head room.
Please ensure staging area is clean, free of mud / dirt, and a non-slip surface.
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
Different venues have different needs. We’ll leave the lighting up to you. Below is what we regard as a minimal lighting setup. Please provide sufficient equipment that will help enhance the performance.
6x Moving head floods.
4x Moving head Gobos / Beams.
4x Arc lights
Haze machine.
DMX controller – programmed with adequate patterns / chases.
If there are to be any deviations from the technical rider specified, Mad Ferret (or their nominated agent) must be informed at the time of booking the performance.
Please get in touch if you foresee any issues with any aspect of this rider.
Not dealing with potential issues in plenty of time normally results in unexpected extra costs.
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MAD FERRET RIDER
Green Room; secure private area with shower, toilet facilities, comfy seating, dressing table, mirror, and adequate lighting.
Secure wifi; suitable for streaming live video, preferably with enough range to the front of stage.
Fridge.
Selection of cold vegetarian sandwiches.
4 Bananas.
4 Pink Lady Apples, washed.
Punnet of white grapes, washed.
2 cans Red Bull.
8 cans Guinness.
Local bottled beer/Ale
6 Bottles of Still Scottish Water.
A little Secret!
We’re not actually two ferrets that play music, though the resemblance is there
We’re MAD FOR IT!!
Promotional Posters & Printing
We can provide a customised poster design suitable for any event. We can also supply and post-out printed A3 posters and flyers for your venue and surrounding area prior to any event
We highly recommend the printing service as this will provide professional looking promotional material for your event and stays away from Inkjet printouts which look as rough as two ferrets on a Monday morning!!
If you require a specific poster design for your event or printed posters or fliers please get in CONTACT for a quote
Terms and Conditions
Our terms and conditions apply to all bookings. To confirm any event we need a contract signed in advance. They’re very easy to fill out and can be downloaded here:
Standard Live Engagement Contract L1
But most likely we will forward a contract to your email address and confirm any bookings with a signed contract
We use contracts to ensure that all parties know what to expect. We’re aware that it’s just a bit of paper, but we like to keep in-line with best practice.
An invoice will also be supplied at least 20 days prior to date of event.
We are both full memebers of The Musicians Union, which along with many benifits, gives us Public Liability Insurance for up to £10m. We can supply a copy of our Public Liability Certificate if required.
Terms of Business
Unless otherwise agreed we require;
A deposit prior to the event. This is usually 20% of the full fee and deposits are non refundable.
Remaining fees payable on date of event.
If the full amount has not been received within the time frame agreed (or strictly 30 days from invoice date) we reserve the right to claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate at the date the dept becomes overdue, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (interest) Act 1998.